US Expands Visa Appointments by 250,000 to Cater to Growing Demand from Indian Travelers

The US has announced an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers to meet soaring demand, following a 35% increase in travel this year. This move aims to expedite the visa process, facilitating stronger US-India relations and enhancing accessibility for tourists, skilled workers, and students.

In a significant move to accommodate increasing visa applications from India, the United States has announced the release of an additional 250,000 appointment slots for various visa categories, including tourist, student, and skilled worker visas. This announcement comes at a time when over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the US in 2024 alone, marking a 35% rise compared to the same period last year.

The newly available appointment slots aim to expedite the visa process for countless Indian applicants, facilitating their travel and reinforcing the vital people-to-people connections that define the US-India relationship. The US embassy in India reported that the mission has already surpassed one million non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year, highlighting the growing demand for US visas among Indian nationals.

According to US officials, all first-time student visa applicants successfully secured appointments during the recent summer visa season across the five consular offices in India. This reflects a concerted effort to improve the visa application process, which had faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The US has reportedly cut the average wait time for visitor visa appointments from about 1,000 days to approximately 250 days, significantly enhancing accessibility for applicants.

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US Ambassador Eric Garcetti emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it aligns with the goals set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden to streamline and expedite visa processing. As the US continues to strengthen ties with India, this expansion of visa appointments is a clear step towards facilitating family reunification, boosting tourism, and fostering business connections.